Go Take A Hike...Mush, Mush

A couple of weeks ago I got invited to go for a hike at Fair Hill. Hmmm, give up a riding day, especially when the forecast was for a mild day. I'm definitely not a hiker. In fact, this would be my first. And giving up a riding day is tough...but I decided the change 'o pace would be good. I was a little intimidated by the women I'd be hiking with - all very athletic and fit. So, I met Karen Smith, Amy Wise, Jane, Robin and Julie at 7:15 at lot #1 at Fair Hill. The game plan was a 3-hr hike, then brunch at Home Grown in Newark.

After having ridden there the weekend before, I realized Fair Hill is even more beautiful on foot. It was sort of weird walking on trails that I've ridden. And wow, what looked "technical" (to me) or steep on the bike seat looked fairly smooth and level on foot. Probably won't change the way I ride but it did give me a different perspective. And now I'm antsy to ride there again.

We started out about 7:30 on the orange trail and from there, who knows. It was a bit unnerving to realize at one point we were at the Appleton lot. And I'm thinking, OMG, who can I call to come pick me up!

Was expecting to see more mtn bikers or even more people on horses, but we saw very few. Or is Fair Hill really that big? We did notice a sled dog team practicing and stopped for a few minutes to pet the dogs. And yes, the musher was wearing a bike helmet!

So, after 3 hrs, they tell me we hiked about 10 miles. I have the shin splints and sore hip to prove it, although neither of these discomforts affected my Monday afternoon ride. Okay, maybe 10 miles was a bit much for my first hike! But despite the minor discomforts it was a really great day and I would do it again.